Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Mock tests are very important when preparing for any big exams. For most exams, mock tests are available in books or online these days. They serve following purpose:

Prepares you to sit for the duration of the exam

Makes you aware of paper pattern

Lets you devise strategies for the exam day

Similarly, full length previous year papers give you a taste of the real exam that’s even one step closer. Let’s see how we can obtain maximum benefit from these tests we take at home.

Taking the test - Create the environment

Dress up like you would for the exam and take the exam on a clean desk

If you can take it with a friend, very cool!

Have a stop watch ready to time your test

Have answer sheets and question paper on separate papers. You can photocopy your question papers if they are in a book.

Avoid calculators if they are not allowed in the exam.

Tell your family to not disturb you though any other disturbance will only prepare you better.

Attempting the test

Begin your test by starting the stop watch.

You should have a strategy for taking the exam ready. Apply that while taking the test and give your best shot at the paper.

Stop at once if the time is up, you are your own invigilator so be honest.

Evaluating the testThis is an important and very difficult activity. We should pay attention to the points mentioned below in order to derive any benefit. In general be strict in your marking. This is only a mock test, so being strict helps you improve.

Use the marking scheme of the exam to mark your test. If you are in doubt give lesser marks.

While evaluating do look at the solutions to see if your approach was right. If not, then assume the question as wrong.

If possible make a note of the average time you took on each question. Improve upon that in future tests to get more questions completed.

Make a note of chapters/types of questions you face difficulty with even if you got the questions right. Those will remain your focus before your next mock test.

Review if your exam strategy had flaws.

Make sure to keep a note of the results because you will compare the next mock test results will these in order to judge your improvement.

Preparing for Next Mock TestSome tips to prepare for the next mock test.

Focus on the important chapters where you faced difficulty

Work on your next exam strategy

Work on timing of your questions, you can avoid all unnecessary steps

You can take the mock test online as it will help you with timings and analysis in a big way and will save a lot of your effort. Yet you should try and attempt a test on pen and paper if that is the way you are going to take your final exam.

Saturday, June 16, 2012

This is clearly the biggest of all challenges. We study and study a lot on a chapter. We practice questions here and there. We are never sure that "I am fully prepared on this chapter". But this is the most important milestone in any entrance preparation journey.

So let's see what is actually required to finish up a chapter.

Step 1: Do the chapter in schoolIf you do the chapter in school then you have started on a good note. Pay attention in your class on the key concepts. If it is not possible to start at school then go to step 2.

Step 2: Read notes on the chapterPrepare your own notes or get the notes on simplylearnt.com. Go over the notes every time you want to start practicing questions.

Step 3: Watch a video for difficult conceptsA video might explain you a concept better. Watch a video to clear up a difficult concept before you start practicing.

Step 4: Practice QuestionsPractice questions on the chapter. Do at least 15 in one go. Master one difficulty level (difficulty levels on simplylearnt.com range from 1 to 10).If you encounter a difficult question that you cannot solve, go over the concept in your notes or watch a video.Review the solutions in detail and understand the concepts or tricks applied.

Step 5: Read Tricks and Learn FormulaeYou should also become aware of shortcuts and all the formulae on the chapter. So revise the same in an interval of one month.

Step 6: Master the ChapterKeep practicing questions until your improvement plan on simplylearnt.com shows green on the chapter. This means you have reached the required difficulty for your exam, have practiced at least once all the questions you did wrong and your average timing per question is close to ideal.

If you want to do it, you’ve got to promise yourself that you will put in an honest effort. We have a roadmap for preparing for NTSE which if you follow diligently, you are likely to clear the exam. We also keep track of your milestones and help you stick to your path.

Milestone 1

Make your exam resolution on how will you prepare for the exam or how important this exam is for you. We will remind about this from time to time to pep you up. Make A Resolution Now!

Begin your preparation according to your study plan. You are free to choose any chapter to practice any time. You can practice the questions in a unique practice lounge where it is so much fun to practice questions. Chapterwise NTSE Question Bank.

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About Me

Prep Talk is SimplyLearnt's way to connect with students who are preparing for their exams. We share their fears, anxieties, excitement and give great suggestions on being their best.
The author is Founder and CEO of simplylearnt.com and has a passion for helping students excel in their lives.
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